My Modernized Belizean Stewed Chicken with Rice and Beans

A while back I wrote about my goal of finding the best stewed chicken with rice in beans while visiting Belize.  I didn’t just want to eat the best there; I wanted to know how to make it at home.  I included some very cryptic recipe notes that I got from Tosh (our driver from Belize City to San Ignacio) in that post.

This weekend was my first attempt.  While I appreciated the ‘recipe’ I got from Tosh, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would come out like if I modernized it a bit.  So, I used my slow cooker and rice cooker.  The results were pretty darn good (even if I have to say so myself).

Slow Cooker Belizean Stewed Chicken

Here is my recipe, gleaned from the cryptic notes I took from Tosh.

Ingredients:

• 2 Pounds of Chicken (I took the skin off and left the bones in, but go with your preference)
• 2-4 Tablespoon Ricado (can’t find it…check out the notes in my previous post how to make something similar)
• 1 Medium Onion
• Olive Oil to Cover Bottom of Skillet
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 12-16 Ounces of Chicken Stock/Broth
• Water (more chicken stock/broth would probably work…I just didn’t have any more)

Instructions:

• Heat 1/2 of the Ricado and the Olive Oil in skillet (I was hoping the Ricado would melt into the oil…it didn’t, but it still works).
• Add chicken to oil and brown.
• Add chicken stock/broth and remainder of Ricado into slow cooker.
• Once browned move chicken from skillet to slow cooker.
• Add chopped onion to skillet and cook until just past translucent (or longer).
• Move onions and pan drippings to slow cooker.
• Add other 1/2 or Ricado to slow cooker.
• Add water to barely cover chicken.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Leave in slow cooker on low for at least six hours (or until chicken falls from bones).

Rice Cooker Belizean Rice and Beans

I took some liberties with the rice on this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 Pound of Rice
• 1/2 Package of Coconut Powder
• 14 Ounce of Black Beans (Kidney or Red should work too)
• Water According to Rice Cooker Instructions

Instructions:

• Add rice, water, and coconut powder to rice cooker.
• Follow rice cooker instructions.
• Once rice is done, add black Beans (note:  add the entire can…do not drain and wash beans…bean juices add flavor).

My Dinner

I also made shrimp ceviche and coleslaw (it seemed like coleslaw or potato salad was the side dish of choice in Belize).

I know my recipes are not perfect, but they’re certainly good enough to bring back memories.  I’m not sure I want to be able to make Belizean Stewed Chicken with Rice and Beans perfectly.  It just gives me another excuse to visit Belize again…I can’t wait!